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PAPPG v5.0, in plain language

PAPPG Explorer

Every topic follows FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide, written as the question applicants actually ask. Search in your own words or browse by chapter, then open the short answer, requirements, documentation and the official PAPPG page.

Chapter 12 › IV. Documentation Retention Requirements
How long do we have to keep our FEMA project records?
How long to keep disaster records
Documentation retention requirements
p. 258
Chapter 12 › I.C, III Subrecipients; Public Assistance Award Closeout
How does the whole disaster grant get closed out?
Subrecipient and award closeout
Subrecipient closeout; Public Assistance award closeout
pp. 257–258
Chapter 12 › II. Stafford Act Section 705
Can FEMA take money back years after a project closes?
Section 705: limits on FEMA recovering funds
Stafford Act Section 705
p. 257
Chapter 12 › I.B Large Projects
What does FEMA need to close out a large project?
Large project closeout
Large project reconciliation and closeout
pp. 254–257
Chapter 12 › I.A Small Projects
How do small projects close out, and can we recover costs that ran over?
Small project closeout and net small project overruns
Small project closeout; net small project overrun (NSPO)
pp. 253–254
Chapter 2 › I.I Arbitration
Can we go to arbitration instead of a second appeal?
Arbitration before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals
Arbitration (Stafford Act § 423)
p. 44
Chapter 2 › I.G–H Appeal Deadlines; Appeal Review and Decisions
What are the deadlines for appeals, and how fast does FEMA decide?
Appeal deadlines and decisions
Appeal deadlines; appeal review and decisions
pp. 43–44
Chapter 2 › I.F Appeal Rights and Requirements
Can we appeal a FEMA decision, and what does the appeal need to include?
Appeal rights and what an appeal must contain
Appeal rights and requirements
pp. 42–43
Chapter 2 › I.C–E Facilitated Discussions; Requests for Information; Notification of an Ineligibility Determination
What happens when FEMA asks for more information or denies something?
Requests for information (RFIs) and determination letters
Requests for information; notification of an ineligibility determination; facilitated discussions
pp. 41–42
Chapter 2 › I.A–B PA Eligibility; Simplified Procedures; Sampling Procedures
How does FEMA decide what is eligible, and how much paperwork do we need?
How FEMA decides eligibility: the pyramid, simplified procedures and sampling
PA eligibility pyramid; simplified procedures; sampling
pp. 40–41
Chapter 8 › XI. Building Code and Floodplain Management Administration and Enforcement (Category I)
Can FEMA pay for our extra permitting and inspection work after the disaster?
Building code and floodplain administration (Category I)
Category I: Building code and floodplain management administration and enforcement
pp. 221–226
Chapter 8 › X. Requirement to Obtain and Maintain Insurance
Do we have to insure facilities FEMA helps repair?
Obtain-and-maintain insurance requirement
Requirement to obtain and maintain insurance
pp. 220–221
Chapter 8 › IX.C Facility Located in a Special Flood Hazard Area
Why would FEMA cut funding for an uninsured building in a flood zone?
Flood insurance reductions in flood hazard areas
NFIP reduction in special flood hazard areas
pp. 219–220
Chapter 8 › VIII–IX Environmental Requirements; Facility Located in or Impacting a Floodplain
What extra rules apply when we rebuild in a floodplain or wetland?
Floodplains, wetlands and the 8-step process
Floodplain management and wetland protection; 8-step decision-making process
pp. 214–219
Chapter 8 › VII. Relocation
Can FEMA fund moving a facility to a safer location?
Relocating a damaged facility
Relocation
pp. 212–214
Chapter 8 › VI. Repair vs. Replacement
How does FEMA decide whether to repair or replace a damaged facility?
Repair vs. replacement: the 50 percent rule
Repair vs. replacement; 50 percent rule
pp. 207–212
Chapter 8 › V.F Landslides and Slope Stabilization
A landslide damaged our facility. Will FEMA fix the slope as well as the facility?
Landslides and permanent slope repair
Landslides and slope stabilization (permanent work)
p. 207
Chapter 8 › V.E Parks, Recreational, Other (Category G)
Will FEMA repair parks, pools, docks and beaches?
Parks, recreational facilities and beaches (Category G)
Category G: Parks, recreational, other
pp. 204–206
Chapter 8 › V.D.3 Power: Transmission and Distribution System Conductor Replacement
When will FEMA pay to replace power line conductors instead of repairing them?
Power line conductor replacement (reconductoring)
Transmission and distribution conductor replacement
pp. 202–204
Chapter 8 › V.D.1–2 Utilities; Power Restoration; Right-of-Way Clearance
How does FEMA handle damaged utilities and power restoration?
Utilities, power restoration and right-of-way clearance
Category F: Utilities; power restoration
pp. 201–202
Chapter 8 › V.C.3–4 Equipment; Vehicles
Will FEMA repair or replace our damaged equipment and vehicles?
Damaged equipment and vehicles
Equipment; vehicles (Category E)
p. 201
Chapter 8 › V.C.2.iv–v Research-Related Contents; Animals
Can we replace research reagents, specimens and animals lost in the disaster?
Research contents and animals
Research-related contents; animals
pp. 199–200
Chapter 8 › V.C.2.i–iii Contents and Supplies
Will FEMA replace damaged contents, records, books and museum collections?
Contents, files, library books and collections
Contents and supplies; files; library books; irreplaceable collections
pp. 196–199
Chapter 8 › V.C.1 Buildings
How does FEMA decide what building damage it will repair?
Buildings (Category E)
Category E: Buildings and equipment
pp. 195–196
Chapter 8 › V.B Water Control Facilities (Category D)
Will FEMA repair levees, channels, basins and other water control facilities?
Water control facilities (Category D)
Category D: Water control facilities
pp. 194–195
Chapter 8 › V.A.4.iv–v Closed Basin Flooding; Gravel Roads
What about roads in closed basins that stay flooded, and gravel roads?
Closed basin flooding and gravel roads
Closed basin flooding; gravel roads
pp. 191–194
Chapter 8 › V.A.4 Inundated and Submerged Roads
Our roads were under water. What damage will FEMA pay to repair?
Flooded (inundated) roads
Inundated and submerged roads
pp. 189–191
Chapter 8 › V.A Roads and Bridges (Category C)
Which road and bridge damage will FEMA repair?
Roads and bridges (Category C)
Category C: Roads and bridges
pp. 186–188
Chapter 8 › IV.C Alternate Project
Can we use the funds for a different facility instead of rebuilding the damaged one?
Alternate projects
Alternate project (capped)
pp. 185–186
Chapter 8 › IV.A–B Flexible Restoration; Improved Project
Can we use FEMA funds to rebuild bigger or better than before?
Improved projects
Improved project (capped)
pp. 183–185
Chapter 8 › III.C, III.E–F Historic Preservation; Construction Method; Pre-Existing Site Conditions
Can we change materials or methods, and what about historic buildings and pre-existing problems?
Historic facilities, construction methods and pre-existing conditions
Historic preservation compliance; construction method; pre-existing site conditions
pp. 182–183
Chapter 8 › III. Hazard Mitigation
Can FEMA pay to make our facility stronger than before?
Section 406 hazard mitigation
PA hazard mitigation (Section 406)
pp. 178–182
Chapter 8 › II.E–F Accessibility; Path of Travel
Will FEMA pay for accessibility upgrades when we repair a building?
Accessibility (ADA) and path of travel
Accessibility for individuals with disabilities; path of travel
pp. 176–177
Chapter 8 › II.D, II.G Ineligible Upgrades; Permit Requirements
What upgrades won’t FEMA pay for, and what about extra work our permit requires?
Ineligible upgrades and permit-driven work
Ineligible upgrades; permit requirements
pp. 175–177
Chapter 8 › II.C Codes and Standards Eligibility Criteria
Our code requires upgrades as part of the repair. Will FEMA pay for them?
When code-required upgrades are eligible
Codes and standards eligibility criteria
pp. 171–175
Chapter 8 › II.A–B Codes and Standards
Do we have to rebuild to FEMA’s codes and standards, and will FEMA pay for them?
Consensus-based codes, specifications and standards
Consensus-based codes, specifications and standards
pp. 168–171
Chapter 8 › I. Facility Restoration (Categories C–G)
What does FEMA pay to rebuild or repair a damaged facility?
Permanent work: restoring pre-disaster design and function
Permanent work (Categories C–G); pre-disaster design and function
pp. 167–168
Chapter 7 › XIII.X–XIV Elections and Polling; Damage Caused During Performance of Emergency Work
Is election support eligible, and what if our crews damaged property during the response?
Elections, and damage caused during emergency work
Elections and polling activities; damage caused during performance of emergency work
pp. 165–166
Chapter 7 › XIII.W.4 Emergency Berms on Beaches
Can we build emergency sand berms to protect property after beach erosion?
Emergency berms on beaches
Emergency berms on beaches
pp. 164–165
Chapter 7 › XIII.W.3 Mold Remediation
Will FEMA pay to remove mold after flooding?
Mold remediation
Mold remediation
pp. 163–164
Chapter 7 › XIII.W Emergency Repair or Stabilization
Can we make temporary repairs or stabilize a landslide before permanent work?
Emergency repairs and slope stabilization
Emergency repair or stabilization; slope stabilization
pp. 161–163
Chapter 7 › XIII.V Snow-Related Activities
When will FEMA pay for snow removal?
Snow-related activities
Snow assistance
pp. 160–161
Chapter 7 › XIII.U Temporary Relocation of Essential Services
Can we move essential services to a temporary facility while ours is repaired?
Temporary relocation of essential services
Temporary relocation of essential services; temporary facilities
pp. 156–160
Chapter 7 › XIII.T Demolition of Private Structures
Can we demolish dangerous private buildings after the disaster?
Demolition of unsafe private structures
Demolition of private structures
pp. 154–156
Chapter 7 › XIII.R–S Safety Inspections; Animal Carcasses
Are post-disaster building safety inspections and carcass removal eligible?
Safety inspections and animal carcasses
Safety inspections; animal carcasses
pp. 153–154
Chapter 7 › XIII.P–Q Infectious Disease Incident; Mosquito Abatement
Will FEMA pay for public health measures like disease response or mosquito control?
Infectious disease incidents and mosquito abatement
Infectious disease incident; mosquito abatement
pp. 152–153
Chapter 7 › XIII.O.3–4 Host-State or Host-Tribe Evacuation and Sheltering; Childcare Services
What if another state shelters our evacuees, and is childcare for sheltered families eligible?
Host-state sheltering and shelter childcare
Host-state or host-tribe evacuation and sheltering; childcare services
pp. 150–152
Chapter 7 › XIII.O.2.ii Non-Congregate Sheltering
Can we shelter people in hotels, dorms or trailers?
Non-congregate sheltering
Non-congregate sheltering (NCS)
pp. 145–150
Chapter 7 › XIII.O.2.i Congregate Sheltering
What shelter costs will FEMA reimburse?
Congregate sheltering
Congregate sheltering
pp. 142–145
Chapter 7 › XIII.O.1 Evacuation
What evacuation costs will FEMA pay for?
Evacuation
Evacuation
pp. 140–142
Chapter 7 › XIII.N Emergency Medical Care
Will FEMA pay for emergency medical care when local systems are overwhelmed?
Emergency medical care
Emergency medical care
pp. 138–140
Chapter 7 › XIII.L–M Supplies and Commodities; Meals
Can we claim emergency supplies we handed out and meals for our workers?
Supplies, commodities and meals
Supplies and commodities; meals
pp. 137–138
Chapter 7 › XIII.K Hazardous Materials
Will FEMA pay to clean up hazardous materials released by the disaster?
Hazardous materials
Hazardous materials (pollutants and hazardous substances)
pp. 136–137
Chapter 7 › XIII.J Emergency Access
Can we clear or repair roads to reach cut-off communities, including private roads?
Emergency access and private roads
Emergency access
pp. 135–136
Chapter 7 › XIII.I Emergency Operations Centers
Can we claim the costs of running our emergency operations center?
Emergency operations centers
Emergency operations center (EOC) costs
p. 135
Chapter 7 › XIII.H Flood Fighting
Is flood fighting, like sandbagging and pumping, eligible?
Flood fighting
Flood fighting
p. 135
Chapter 7 › XIII.F Increased Operating Costs
Will FEMA pay higher operating costs during the emergency?
Increased operating costs during the emergency
Increased operating costs
p. 134
Chapter 7 › XIII.E Pre-Positioning Resources
Will FEMA pay to stage equipment and supplies before the disaster hits?
Pre-positioning resources
Pre-positioning resources
p. 133
Chapter 7 › XIII.D Emergency Protective Measures Conducted by Private Nonprofit Organizations
What emergency work can a private nonprofit claim?
Emergency work by private nonprofits
Emergency protective measures conducted by private nonprofit organizations
pp. 116, 133
Chapter 7 › XIII.C Emergency Protective Measures on Private Property
Can we do emergency work on private property?
Emergency protective measures on private property
Emergency protective measures on private property
pp. 132–133
Chapter 7 › XIII.A–B Emergency Protective Measures
What response activities count as emergency protective measures?
Emergency protective measures (Category B)
Category B: Emergency protective measures
pp. 130–132
Chapter 7 › XII.F Private Property Debris Removal
Can we remove debris from private property, private roads or commercial properties?
Private property debris removal (PPDR)
Private property debris removal (PPDR)
pp. 127–130
Chapter 7 › XII.E Monitoring Contracted Debris Removal Operations
Do we have to monitor our debris contractors, and will FEMA pay for it?
Debris monitoring
Monitoring contracted debris removal operations
pp. 126–127
Chapter 7 › XII.D Disposal
What disposal costs will FEMA pay for debris?
Debris disposal, staging sites and tipping fees
Disposal; temporary debris staging and reduction sites; tipping fees
pp. 125–126
Chapter 7 › XII.C Privately-Owned Vehicles and Vessels on Public Property
Can we remove abandoned cars and boats left by the disaster?
Abandoned vehicles and vessels
Privately-owned vehicles and vessels on public property
p. 124
Chapter 7 › XII.B Waterways
Can we remove disaster debris from rivers, canals and channels?
Debris in waterways
Waterway debris; navigable and non-navigable waterways
pp. 123–124
Chapter 7 › XII.A Hazardous Limbs, Trees, and Stumps
Can we remove damaged trees, hanging limbs and stumps?
Hazardous trees, limbs and stumps
Hazardous limbs, trees and stumps
pp. 120–122
Chapter 7 › XII. Debris Removal (Category A)
When is debris removal eligible for FEMA funding?
Debris removal (Category A)
Category A: Debris removal; public interest
pp. 117–120
Chapter 7 › XI. Eligibility Considerations for Emergency Work
What makes response work eligible as emergency work?
Emergency work eligibility and the immediate threat test
Emergency work (Categories A and B); immediate threat
pp. 115–117
Chapter 6 › XXIII. Ineligible Costs
Will FEMA cover lost revenue or higher operating costs?
Ineligible costs: lost revenue, service life, tax assessments and operating costs
Ineligible costs
pp. 113–114
Chapter 6 › XX.B–XXI Duplication of Benefits and Funding
Do other grants, donations or lawsuit recoveries reduce our FEMA funding?
Grants, donations, third-party recoveries and other federal funds
Duplication of benefits (non-insurance)
pp. 112–113
Chapter 6 › XX.A Insurance Proceeds
How does insurance affect our FEMA funding?
Insurance proceeds and reductions
Insurance reductions; duplication of benefits
pp. 110–112
Chapter 6 › XIX. Surveys to Assess or Locate Damage or Debris Impacts
Can we claim the cost of finding and inspecting disaster damage?
Damage surveys and inspections
Surveys to assess or locate damage or debris impacts
p. 110
Chapter 6 › XVIII. Grant Management and Administration
Will FEMA pay for the cost of managing our FEMA grant?
Management costs (grant administration)
Category Z: Management costs
pp. 109–110
Chapter 6 › XVII. Project Management and Design Services
Will FEMA pay for project management, engineering and design?
Project management and design services
Project management and design services
p. 109
Chapter 6 › XVI. Donated Resources
Can volunteers and donated supplies count toward our cost share?
Donated resources
Donated resources; non-federal cost share offset
pp. 105–108
Chapter 6 › XV. Increased Federal Cost Share for a Limited Timeframe
How does a temporary 100 percent federal cost share work?
Increased federal cost share periods
Increased federal cost share for a limited timeframe
p. 105
Chapter 6 › XII–XIII. Prisoners and National Guard
Can we claim costs for prison work crews or National Guard support?
Prison labor and National Guard
Prisoner labor; National Guard State Active Duty
p. 104
Chapter 6 › XI. Mutual Aid
Will FEMA pay for help we got from other agencies or jurisdictions?
Mutual aid
Mutual aid; requesting and assisting entities
pp. 100–103
Chapter 6 › X.E Required Documentation and Information for Procurement and Contracting
What contract records do we need to give FEMA?
Contract cost documentation
Required documentation for contract costs
p. 100
Chapter 6 › X.D.2 Additional Contracting Considerations
Can we use standby contracts, cooperative purchasing or another agency’s contract?
Pre-positioned and cooperative purchasing contracts
Pre-positioned contracts; cooperative purchasing; piggyback contracts
p. 99
Chapter 6 › X.C.1–X.D Contract Types and Time-and-Materials Contracts
Which contract types will FEMA pay for?
Contract types and time-and-materials limits
Fixed price, cost-reimbursement, time-and-materials; cost-plus-percentage-of-cost
pp. 98–99
Chapter 6 › X.C Noncompetitive Procurement
Can we hire a contractor without competitive bidding in an emergency?
Sole-source contracts and emergencies
Noncompetitive procurement; exigency or emergency
pp. 96–97
Chapter 6 › X.A Procurement and Contracting Requirements for State and Territorial Government and Tribal Nation Entities
What procurement rules apply to state, tribal and territorial governments?
Procurement rules for states, tribes and territories
2 CFR 200.317 procurement by states
pp. 92–93
Chapter 6 › X.B Procurement and Contracting Requirements for Local Government Agencies and Private Nonprofit Organizations
What procurement rules do local governments and nonprofits have to follow?
Procurement rules for local governments and nonprofits
Federal procurement standards (2 CFR 200.318–200.327)
pp. 91–96
Chapter 6 › VII–IX. Disposition
What happens to equipment and supplies we bought with FEMA funds once the disaster is over?
Disposition of equipment and supplies
Disposition
pp. 89–91
Chapter 6 › VI. Supplies
Will FEMA pay for supplies and materials we bought or took from stock?
Supplies and materials
Supplies (materials)
pp. 88–89
Chapter 6 › II. Reasonable Costs
How does FEMA decide whether our costs were reasonable?
Reasonable costs
Reasonable cost; reasonable cost analysis
pp. 75–78
Chapter 6 › I. Eligibility Requirements
What makes a disaster cost eligible for FEMA reimbursement?
Cost eligibility requirements
Cost eligibility
p. 75
Chapter 6 › V. Rented or Leased Equipment
We rented equipment for the disaster. Will FEMA pay the rental cost?
Rented or leased equipment
Rented or leased equipment
p. 87
Chapter 6 › IV.A–D Equipment Rates
Which hourly rate will FEMA use for our equipment?
Equipment rates
FEMA, state, tribal, territorial and local equipment rates
pp. 85–86
Chapter 6 › IV. Applicant-Owned and Purchased Equipment
How does FEMA pay for our own trucks and machinery, or equipment we had to buy?
Applicant-owned and purchased equipment
Force account equipment
pp. 84–85
Chapter 6 › III.B.7 Standby Time
Will FEMA pay for crews waiting on call during the disaster?
Standby time
Standby time
pp. 83–84
Chapter 6 › III.B.6 Other
Does FEMA cover hazard pay, shift differentials or bonuses we paid during the disaster?
Premium pay and bonuses
Extraordinary hourly pay; bonuses and incentive pay
p. 83
Chapter 6 › III.B.5 Supervisors
Can we claim overtime for department heads, chiefs and managers?
Supervisors’ overtime
Second-level supervisors (FLSA-exempt)
p. 83
Chapter 6 › III.B.4 Essential Employees Called Back from Furlough
We called furloughed staff back to work because of the disaster. Is their pay eligible?
Essential employees called back from furlough
Essential employees called back from furlough
p. 82
Chapter 6 › III.B.3 Backfill Employees
We paid people to cover for staff working on the disaster. Is that eligible?
Backfill employees
Backfill
p. 82
Chapter 6 › III.B.1–2 Reassigned Employees
We moved staff from their normal jobs to disaster work. What does FEMA pay?
Reassigned employees
Reassigned employees
pp. 81–82
Chapter 6 › III.B Eligibility Criteria for Reimbursement of Employee Labor Costs
Will FEMA pay our employees’ regular hours, or only overtime?
Regular time vs. overtime
Budgeted and unbudgeted labor; straight time and overtime
pp. 80–81
Chapter 6 › III.A Labor Policies
Do we need a written pay policy for FEMA to cover overtime and premium pay?
Labor policies
Pre-disaster written labor policy
p. 80
Chapter 6 › III. Applicant (Force Account) Labor
How does FEMA pay for our employees’ time, and what records do we need?
Fringe benefits and labor documentation
Force account labor
pp. 78–79
Govstar summarizes FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide, version 5.0 Amended, for disasters declared on or after January 6, 2025. Govstar is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. This is general guidance, not legal advice.